For more than a thousand years, the making and eating of mochi — the soft treat made of mashed sweet rice — has been a New Year’s custom and tradition in Japan. And for 25 years, that tradition has found a new place of importance with the Bainbridge Island community.

To the editor: The sky is falling. I know, because it’s green. Investigator Shawn Flood, recently hired to sniff out proselytizers at Woodward Middle School has cleared recent volunteers there of any such attempt.

The idea of a senior discount may take on a whole new meaning this winter. Over the next two months, Bainbridge Island seniors will be able to join the “pay it forward” movement with just a trip to the movies.